Typewriting machine



Sept. 15, 1931. J. A. B. SMITH TYPEWRITING MACHINE F'iled Nov. 10. 1928 lllllll o\ sensorial identification signs Patented Sept. 15, 1931 PATENT OFFICE .mssn' A. B. snrrn, or s'rmonn, FISHER. conm, or NEW CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TYPEWBITING IACHIN E Application med November 10, 1928. Serial No. 318,353.

`This invention relates to keyboards rfor -typewritingI and other machines, and is benefit of the blind.

invention provides simple, practical,

for the keyboard, whereby the sightless, with their hig 1y sensitive Enger-tips, can quickly learn to operate .a typewriting machine through the touch system. `A wide field of useful occupation or enjoyable pursuit is therefore opened to the blind, who can use the machine mainly for the use and This ` with facility. Furthermore the means employed are inexpensive,-

easily applied ins tantly understood and of lasting construction.

In the design shown, the key-caps, which are preferably of stamped metal, are formed to fit over the standard keys of a machine and are locked thereon. These caps have raised, partly spherical projections or points on their top surfaces, said projections being deployed or grouped to be identical with the signs of the Braille alphabet and numeral system, now in use for the blind. Said groups have the same dimensions as those of said Braille system, and when applied to the keys bear the same definite relation to one another as do the signs in books that are embossed especially for the blind. 3o

Due to the small dimensions ofl the embossed groups, their meaning is instantly comprehended when touched, because a blind person does not have to feel around a lar area for the identification signs. Where t e latter. are used with keys having two symbols, the keys will have two corresponding groups of embossin'gs, which will be located in upper and lower case positions. These keys or their caps can bear additional intermediately em-v bossed projections on their' surfaces, whereby a blind operator can sense that two distinct groups are carried by said caps. These intermediate embossin are valuable in identifying the numeralys, because the Braille signs for numerals are the same as for the first ten letters of the alphabet. These intermediate embossings, however, can be omitted.

As it is necessary to maintain a fixed relation between 'the separate roups of si s, each cap is locked on the ey vthrong a Figure 1 is a top view o whic forked tab, said tab being bentunder the key to vtightly engage the sides of the keystem. )ther tabs are also provided on each cap, which are bent under to hold the cap more firmly on its key. When forming the tabs they are preferably located 120 degrees apart, with the forked tab at the rear. In such locations said tabs, when bent under the key, will have a direct hold on the latter, and will not overlap or interfere with other tabs used for securing the rims of the standard keys. f

The aforementioned embossed caps have been described as applied over the standard sired, however, the embossed caps can be dlrectly applied at the factory to the platforms' of the key-stems. This will vsave some weight and expense. In order to be readily distinguishable by one not versed in the Braille signs, the embossed caps can be stamped with the corres onding letter or s mbol, as shown in the di'awings. A purc aser or workman can, therefore, correctly pos1t1on the caps on the corresponding keys. n Other features and advantages will herelnafter appear.

In the accompanying drawin s,

a keyboard embodies this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a cap as embossed for shows the relative of tabs.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view .on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and shows the embossed cap applied over the standard key.

Figure showing the long tab partly encompassing the key-stem.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a key-stem platform, showing the key-cap directly applied thereto. v

Figure 6 is a top plan of a key-cap which has two groups of identification signs, and also intermediate signs to indicate the presence of said two groups. Y

Figure 7 is a front elevation of cap, and v'shows a keyquotation marks and a nu- 4 is a slde elevation of a key,

meral stamped on the front of said key-cap for identification of the signs thereon.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of a key-cap before the tabs are bent.

Figure 9 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a standard Braille cell or unit. l

Referring to the drawings, key-caps 10 have annular flanges 11 and tabs 12 and 13. The latter are longer than said tabs 12 and also are forked, as at 14. The topsurfaces of the key-caps 10 are embossed with rai'sed, partly spherical projections 15, which conform with the signs used in the Braille system. Intermediate projections 16 can be used on key-caps 17, Whereon two different groupsof signs are used, as shown at 18 and 19. j

The key-caps 410 are ordinarily applied over the keys 20 of a keyboard 21, and in the same standard relation to each other. The keys 20 have platforms 22, printed disks 23, transparent material 24, rims and tabs 26 thereon, the platform forming part of key-stems 27. After the caps have been applied over the keys the tabs 12 and 13 are bent in and under said platforms, and will interlie the tabs 26. Also the keycaps are so applied to the keys that the tabs 13 will straddle and tightly engage the rear of the key-stems 27 and will hold said caps against rotating.

When desirable, the key-caps 10 can be attached directl to the platforms 22, as in Figure 5, and thus save the cost and expense of making and applying the parts 23, 24, 25 and 26. In Figure 1 are shown a spacing bar 28, shift-keys 29, a back-spacing key 30 and a tabulator-key 31. The parts numbered 28, 29, 30 and 31 have no key-caps, because, through their widely-separated positions and lack of signs, 'a blind operator, will soon learn their import.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements mal be used without others.

Having thus escribed my invention, I claim: i

1. In t ping and other machines, a grou vof keys for the use of the blind and Whic form a keyboard, said keys including platforms and stems, caps having slightly convex top surfaces, there being one cap for Y each symbolic key, integral annular flanges on said caps, integral extensions on said flanges, forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, and raised spherical segments or points which are integral with said surfaces, said segments positioned, deployed or grouped in dierent arrangement on each cap to form signs, said caps superposed on and around said platforms, said extensions being bent under the latter, said forked ends engaging the sides of said stems, to hold said caps non-rotational on sald latforms, and said segments or points to e respectively Videntical in arrangement with, and confined within, the same areas as'the corresponding signs of the Braille s stem.

2. In typing and otl'ier machines, a group of keys for the use of the blind and which form a keyboard, said keysincluding platforms and stems, caps having slightly convex top surfaces, there being one cap for each symbolic key, integral annular flanges on said caps, integral extensions on said flanges, forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, and raised spherical segments or points whichare integral with said surfaces, said se ments positioned, deployed or grouped in iti'erent arrangement on each cap to form signs, said caps and around said platforms, said extensions being bent under the latter, said forked ends engaging the sides of said stems to hold said caps non-rotational on said platforms, and said segments or points to be respectively identical in arrangement with, and confined within, the same areas as the corresponding signs of the Braille system, and some caps each having two signs and also integral raised projections intermediate said two signs, whereby such dual grouping'of the Braille signs can be sensed by the blind, and each sign thereof can convey its respective meaning without confusion.

3. In typing and other machines, a group of keys for the use of the blind and which form a keyboard, said keys including platforms and stems, caps having slightly convex top surfaces, there being one cap for each symbolic key, integral annular flanges on said caps, integral extensions on said flanges, forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, raised spherical segments or points7 which are integral with said surfaces, sa1dsegments positioned, deployed or grouped in dierent arrangement on each cap to forni signs, said caps superposed on and around said platforms, said extensions being bent undeiI the latter, said forked ends engaging the sides of said stems, to hold said caps non- `rotational on said platforms, and said segments or points to be respectively identical in arrangement with, and confined Within, the same areas as the corresponding signs of the Braille system, and symbols on each of said flanges, said symbols corresponding respectively with said segments or points with which they are associated, whereby the signs on the caps, which are understood by the blind, can be identified by those with sight who do not know said system.

4. In t ping and other machines, a group of keys or the use of the blind and which form a keyboard, said keys including platforms and stems, caps having slight y convex top surfaces, there being one ca for each symbolic key, integral annular angesv on said caps, integral extensions on said flanges, forked ends on one of said extensions on each within, the sa-me areas as the cap, and raised spherical ents orpoints which are -mte al wit said surfaces, said se ents' positioned, deployed or grouped'in di erent arrangement on each ca to form s' said caps superposed on an around sainlatforms, said extensions being bent under the latter, said forked ends engag ing the sides of said stems, to hold said-ca s non-rotational on said latforms and said segments or points to c ivel identical in arrangement with, and confine within, the same areas as the corresponding signs of the Braille system, and some keys not having said se ents or projections, such last-mentioned e s being readily discernible for this reason, w ereby they can be readil identified thil'pugh locatin ald touch, ang can conve t eir re-e aine purposes the minds bf the blilnd. xp

5. In t ping and other machines, a grou of keys fbr the. use of the blind and whic form a keyboard, said keys includi forms and stems, caps having slight vex to surfaces, there being one ca for each symbo ic key, integral annular an es on said caps, integral extensions on said anges, forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, raised spherical segments or points which are integral with said surfaces, said segments positloned, deployed or grouped in different arrangement on each cap to form signs said caps su erposed on and around said latforms, sai extensions being bent under t e latter, saidforked ends engaging the sides of said stems to hold said caps non-rotational on said latformsfand said segments or points to respectively identical in arrangement with, and confined corresponding signs of the Braille system, and a spacing bar w1thout said segments or is easily discernible for thls reason and through shape and location, whereby when touched it is identified by the blind, who can correctly operate the same when its use has been explalned.

6. In t ping and other machines, a group of keys or the use of the blind and whic form a keyboard, said keys includin platforms and stems, caps having slight y convex to surfaces, there 4being one ca for each symbo ic key, integral annular es on said caps, integral extensions on said forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, rais il spherical segments or ,points which are integral with said surfaces, said se ents positioned, deployed or grouped in iierent arrangement on each cap to form si s, said caps superposed on and around sai platforms, said extensions being bent under the latter, said forked ends engaging theside of said stems, to hold said caps non-rotationl on said latforms, :1nd said segments or points to respectlv yi entical in arrangement with, and confined platy conanges',y

within, the same areas as the corresponding signs of the Braille system, and raised letters, numerals or marks on said flanges, which res ively correspond on' each cap with the raille sign thereon, so the blind who understand the Braille system can also sense the conformation of the accompanying letters, numerals or marks.

7. In t ingand other machines, a up of keys oi'min'gm. keyboard, lettered latforms and stems forming part of said eys, caps detachable from said keys, raised Braille ints onthe top surfaces of said caps, sai points positioned, deployed or grouped in different 'arrangement on each y capintegral annular anges on said caps,

integral extensions on the caps, and forked ends on one of said extensions on each cap, said extensions being flexible to permit sucoessive attachment to or removal of said caps, so a blind operator may first become familiar with the locations of said raised signs on said platforms, after which they may be remove to test the operators memory for location, and if at fault the caps can again be attached, whereby the blind are aided in memorizing the res ctive locations of the keys, to more readily earn to operate the keyboard through the touch system, or the seeing may learn to operate said ke board through familiarization with said signs on said platforms and ca JESSE A. SMITH.

projections, which 

